I knew Cyndy as Aunt Cyndy for I don't even know how long now. They were the weird aunt that I could never get enough of. We may night have been biologically related but they still cared for me no matter what. The memories I have with them will forever be cherished. Despite not being in touch frequently I would think of them often and now will do so more so. I wish I could've known the last interaction we had was our last as I would've held our hug just that extra bit longer. I'll miss you dearly
Raissa Jacobs
May 13, 2026
I heard the news weeks after the fact, but needed to come share my condolences. Teaching at ICW, Ms. Woodhouse introduced a much yoinger, much less personable version of me to communication studies, then to essay-writing. Those classes sparked an interest that became a career, and today I'm a succesful print journalist thanks to those first couple classes with Ms. Woodhouse. It was a delight to see her again, as an adult, when I coached debate and visited my tae-kwon-do/kum-do dojang.
Ms. Woodhouse changed my life for the better, over a decade ago. She will be deeply missed, by me and so many others.
Kalen McCain
May 13, 2026
On behalf of Hy-Vee Drugstore #7025, we extend our deepest condolences to Cynthia's friends and family, especially to her son, Dean. She was a regular at our store, and while we are known for having a "helpful smile in every aisle", it will be Cynthia's bright smile we will miss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of her loved ones during this difficult time.
With our deepest sympathy,
Hy-Vee Drugstore Johnson Ave.
Hy-Vee Drugstore on Johnson Ave.
May 6, 2026
My brother Klayton and I came to know Cynthia Woodhouse as a teacher and debate coach at Iowa City West High School. As her students we both benefited from Woodhouse' remarkable ability to appreciate the distinct personalities, motivations, and abilities of her students. At times she was the coach or teacher of record for more than 100 students, but she made each one of us feel special and motivated to be the best student and person we can be. Her students will never forget the care and support that she showed us, nor the example she set in motivating us to accomplish our aspirations.
To the students Woodhouse coached her memory will carry a special significance. Not only because of the hours spent in cars, vans, airplanes, hotel lobbies, and fast food places during tournament travel; but because debating for Woodhouse made you special. During her time as a debate coach Woodhouse authored an important text on high school debating, coached some of the most competitive teams in the country at the most competitive schools, and was nationally recognized as an important pedagogue and judge in high school debate. Students debating on a Woodhouse coached team were immediately recognized, and recognizable, among the most elite in the country. It is not altogether common that a student from Iowa can walk into a national academic competition against the most elite prep schools in the country and be recognized as credible. By virtue of working with Woodhouse, the Iowa City West (and later Cedar Rapids Kennedy) students had instant credibility, such was the national recognition of her talents. Yet Woodhouse had singular humility about her accomplishments, teaching us to balance our competitiveness with grace.
Woodhouse was more than an incredibly gifted and impactful teacher and coach. She was a mother, a friend, a mentor, and so many other things. For us she was a demonstration of how to take care of your people, whether they be family, friends, colleagues or students. Her memory is a comfort and a motivation to care for our people. May she rest in peace.
Alexander Hiland
May 5, 2026
Cyndy was such a driving force in my life. She always was my cheerleader telling me to fight. I always said “I will if you will.” She always shared how much she loved”her boy” and wanted to do nothing more than guarantee he grew up to be a great man. She loved doing the KumDo classes with him and was so proud of how far and quickly his talent in it had come. When we would talk it always was of Dean and how much she loved him. My heart is broken and I will miss her a great deal. Her spirit and light. I love you Cyndy!!
Karin Boyd
May 4, 2026
I am so very sorry for your loss, extending me deepest sympathies to Cindy's entire family. I will always remember Cindy as a bright light, someone who brought great humor, charm and intellect to our high school debate team. I am happy to learn that she continued to bring the joy of that activity to the next generation of students. May she rest in peace.
Kyle Richardson
May 3, 2026
There is not much I can say right now. So I will just say thank you. Thank you for being there for me when no one else was. For being able to put a smile one my face on the worst days. For saving my life when I thought the world was ending. I was I would have talked to you more. I hope you are proud of how far we have all come. We love you and we miss you.
Arden Anthony
May 3, 2026
I honestly don’t know what to say. I’m praying for you all.J
Phillip Bishop
May 1, 2026
Mary, we are so sorry to hear of this news. We pray that you and your family can find peace and comfort at this difficult time. We are a phone call away if you need to talk.
Gwen Franz
April 30, 2026
I am so very sorry. She was always such a hilarious and brilliant person to talk to. I am very sorry.
Jason Kline
April 30, 2026
My love for all these things debate didn’t just appear out of nowhere, it was cultivated by my high school debate coach and most importantly friend Cyndy Woodhouse. I simply would not be where I am today without Woodhouse, they pushed me to be the very best at what I did. Taught me how to stick up for myself as a Queer debater and person. I didn’t qualify for nationals my freshman year, I told them how I wanted to qualify in congress and they were determined to help me. Fun fact, I never did qualify in congress. I qualified in worlds twice, and then POI my senior year. However, we spent almost every minute together in high school. I’d skip some of my classes for debate to come hang with them and they would sometimes write me passes (sometimes not, then I would get a call home). I wasn’t very good at debate in high school, but they made me feel like I had a voice even if I wasn’t winning, that what I had to say in the Iowa circuit mattered. They made me realize I could make people listen to what I had to say, and actually care.
Woodhouse meant so much more to me than debate, when the Derecho hit Iowa in 2020 it knocked out large portions of my high school. I could not go to school, the Derecho also knocked out our wifi for months. However, Woodhouse only lived a block away from me and invited me to come to their place for that semester.
I was a high school senior amid a pandemic and a natural disaster event that left our infrastructure in shambles. Woodhouse didn’t think twice about inviting me over to their place, even though they had a kid and their own job as a teacher to do online. Every morning I would come and we would eat breakfast and do our classes from the dining room. They would make me lunch and we would talk about everything from the next debate tournament, to relationship advice, to what I was going to do with my life post graduation. They were the one who pushed me to apply to Mason even though I had no idea what I would do when I got there. They helped me research different places with debate programs while we would sit in their dining room.
I remember getting the acceptance letter to Mason while I was sitting in their dining room, I didn’t know if I really wanted to go. They encouraged me to accept, that I needed to go explore get out of the area. So I did.
Funnily enough, I crashed my first car and totaled it at their place when I was coming out of their parking lot.
When I graduated high school we kept in contact, every single day. We would text or call, talk about our lives. We could go weeks without calling and pick up where we left off, like nothing. They were one of my biggest cheerleaders, whenever I made an accomplishment they were the first to congratulate me. When I cleared at my first national in varsity, they wanted to send me literal flowers.
Woodhouse, was a pillar in my life. I wouldn’t have the confidence in life as I do now without them. I never thought that the last text I sent them would have been yesterday when I was telling them my thesis committee had been finalized.
I will never forget the kindness Woodhouse showed me, I wish I was able to return that kindness. I hope to be even an ounce as inspirational as they were, no one could hype me up like they could.
If you have ever been coached, talked to, or gotten to work with them I am sure you have only the best memories. I cannot recall a singular bad memory of Woodhouse, even when things were tough. The amount of times I didn’t clear at a tournament and we both just looked and each other and laughed.
Thank you for your kindness and love, rest in peace my friend.
Jay Fuchs
April 30, 2026